JP2014172400A - Signature binding method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a signature binding method capable of realizing excellent binding quality with simplified structure and by simple operation.SOLUTION: There is provided a method for binding signatures 17 in a sheet filing device with a stapling station 24 having one stitcher head 26 in order to make a booklet. The method comprises: transferring each signature 17 by a saddle chain 34 to a transfer station 36; passing the signature 17 to a transport device 50 which holds the signature; transferring the signature 17 toward the stapling station in a first stapling position P1; stopping the signature and stapling a first bracket in a stopped state by the one stitcher head; transferring the signature to a second stapling position P2; stopping the signature and stapling another bracket in a stopped state by the one stitcher head; and subsequently transferring a stitched booklet to an ejection station 29 to eject the booklet, or passing the stitched booklet to a device for three-side trimming.

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for binding signatures in claim 1 and a saddle stitcher for producing a booklet in claim 6.

  Saddle stitchers are well known in the background art and are described, for example, in German Offenlegungsschrift 102008023865 or U.S. Pat. No. 7,988,138. From the feeder for folded sheets (folded sheets, signatures, etc.), the individual folded sheets are individualized from the stack, opened, and fed out onto the saddle chain. The saddle chain has a guide device (the upper portion of the guide device is configured in a blade shape, and the ridge line of the guide device defines a conveying and binding line) and a substantially roof-shaped mounting portion (folding on the mounting portion). The sword is transported in a hanging state). In order to reliably hold the folded sheet sent to the saddle chain even at a higher processing speed, to achieve reliable transfer and to convey evenly, the saddle chain is a transfer element that transports the fed folded sheet horizontally. Is provided. The folded sheet conveyed by the saddle chain and the transfer body is conveyed to the binding station by the saddle chain. In the binding station, the folded sheets that are positioned one above the other are bound by a binding needle (wire) at the fold portion. For this purpose, a stitcher head arranged on the upper side of the saddle chain and a clincher box arranged on the lower side of the saddle chain are used. The clincher box folds the free end portion of the binding needle driven through the folding sheet by the stitcher head. Thereafter, the bound folded sheets are subsequently conveyed from the saddle chain for subsequent processing in the discharge area. For example, edge trimming and unloading are performed subsequently.

  German Offenlegungsschrift 102004021958 discloses a saddle stitcher comprising a finger strip system. The reciprocating finger strip system grips the signature and therefore transports the signature step by step from the saddle chain to the binding station and in the second step from the binding station to the discharge station. , With controllable fingers. In such a saddle stitcher, the binding of the signature is performed while the signature is stopped. Therefore, high-quality binding can be formed. As a problem, high labor is recognized when changing specifications, that is, when exchanging jobs between various size signatures or differently arranged binding staplers. To solve this problem, extensive use of sensors has been proposed, which ensures automatic adjustability to various sizes. The disadvantage of this solution is that it is costly and labor intensive for the sensor in terms of assembly to the machine controller.

  Another saddle stitcher with a finger strip system is described in DE 102008058953. All saddle stitchers with a finger strip system have the common disadvantage that the signature remains unclamped during binding at the binding station. This is because the finger strip surrounds the signature during the binding process to subsequently grip a new signature. This may result in slight slipping of the signature and consequently binding misalignment. Another disadvantage arises from the need for one stitcher head for each binding needle to be set in the signature. This entails an increase in procurement costs, an increase in adjustments, an increase in the required space for the binding station, and a requirement for a particularly robust construction of the binding station. Another disadvantage is that the minimum binding interval is set by the width of the stitcher head.

  EP 16299992 describes a saddle stitcher comprising a stitching station with a single stitcher head. The binding station operates according to the binding movement principle, in which one stitcher head is moved along with the signature to be bound on the binding carriage. It is proposed to position a single stitcher head on the binding carriage and to set all the binding needles that this single stitcher head is to be driven into each signature. In order to drive a plurality of binding needles into one signature, the movement process of the binding carriage having an acceleration stage, a braking stage and a synchronization stage must be set very strictly, which is not only the binding carriage but also the step. This provides extremely troublesome control of the drive of the tea head.

  In DE 100 03 908 a simpler binding station with a single stitcher head is described. The product to be bound is passed by the stitching station next to the stitcher head positioned at a fixed position, and when the target binding position of the product is located in front of the stitcher head, the binding needle is driven into the passing product. In addition, the stitcher head is controlled. The disadvantage of this binding principle is that the binding quality is greatly impaired by the relative movement between the stitcher head being bound and the product to be bound.

German Patent Application Publication No. 102008023865 US Patent No. 7988138 German Patent Application No. 102004021958 German Patent Application No. 102008058953 European Patent Publication No. 1629999 German Patent Application Publication No. 10039908

  Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for binding signatures and a saddle stitcher for producing booklets that reduces the disadvantages of the background art and enables good binding quality despite simple structure and simple operation. It is to be.

According to the method of the present invention for solving this problem, a method for binding signatures to produce a booklet in a saddle stitching machine comprising a binding station having one stitcher head, comprising:
a) transporting each signature to be bound by a saddle chain toward a delivery station;
b) delivering each signature to a conveying device holding each signature;
c) transporting each signature to a first binding position toward the binding station, wherein the first target binding position of the signature is located below one stitcher head;
d) stopping each signature and driving the first binding needle with one stitcher head in the stopped state;
e) transporting each signature to a different binding position by the transport device, wherein another target binding position of the signature is located below one stitcher head;
f) stopping each signature and, in the stopped state, driving another binding needle with one stitcher head;
g) Subsequent transporting each bound booklet by the transport device toward the discharge station, and releasing each booklet from the transport device;
h) discharging each bound booklet, or delivering each bound booklet to an apparatus for three-way cutting;
Is provided.

  Preferably, steps e) and f) are repeated for each separate staple to be driven into the signature.

  Preferably, the transport device comprises a horizontally moving carriage, which returns to the initial position again after step h).

  Preferably, at least the conveying device and the stitcher head are controlled by a machine control device.

  Preferably, each signature between step b) and step g) is held by being gripped by at least one gripper by means of a transport device.

  According to the apparatus of the present invention for solving this problem, a plurality of feeders arranged along a saddle chain that circulates, a binding station having one stitcher head at a fixed position, and a downstream side of the binding station A saddle stitching machine for producing a booklet from a signature for carrying out the above-described method for binding a signature, the saddle stitching machine comprising a transport device for transporting a signature. The transport area of the transport device extends from the downstream end of the saddle chain beyond the binding station to the discharge station, which transports each signature during the complete transport process by the transport device. At least one gripper for holding, and the saddle stitcher is at least transported to perform at least two binding processes on each signature by one stitcher head. Comprising a machine controller for controlling the device and stitcher head.

  Preferably, the transport device includes a carriage and a carriage guide for reciprocating a carriage having at least one gripper.

  Preferably, the transport device comprises a controllable motor, in particular a servo motor, as the carriage drive.

  Preferably, the transport device comprises a pneumatic, electrical, piezoelectric or mechanical drive that moves at least one gripper.

  The method according to the invention serves to bind particularly collated signatures for producing booklets in a saddle stitcher comprising a binding station with one stitcher head in place. In the first step, the saddle chain transports each collated signature to be bound toward the delivery station. At the delivery station, each signature is delivered to the transport device. The conveying device holds each signature in a predetermined manner and reliably, particularly using a mechanical or pneumatic gripper. Subsequently, each signature is transported from the transport device toward the binding station to the first binding position, where the first target binding position of the signature is located below the stitcher head. Thereafter, each signature is stopped by the transport device, and in the stopped state, the first binding needle is driven by the stitcher head. During the binding process, each signature remains fixed by the transport device. After the first binding needle is driven, each signature is transported to another binding position by the transport device, where the other target binding position of the signature is below the stitcher head. Located in. Thereafter, each signature is stopped again, and in the stopped state, another binding needle is driven by the stitcher head. After another stitching needle has been driven, each staple that has been bound is subsequently transported by the transport device towards the discharge station, where each signature is released from the gripper of the transport device. Each bound signature can be delivered to a device for three-way cutting or a discharge device. In this case, the bound signature is also called a booklet.

  If there are not only two binding needles driven into the signature, each signature is stopped at a different binding position before being conveyed toward the discharge station, so that different binding can be performed each time.

  The advantage of the method according to the invention is that the binding position of the binding needle can be modified very simply by changing the target position. According to a further advantage, a freely selectable stitcher spacing can be implemented irrespective of the stitcher head width. Accordingly, a plurality of staplers having extremely small intervals can be driven into the signature. Each signature is not released to the discharge station after being delivered from the saddle chain to the transport device, but remains permanently fixed, so that fluctuations in binding position and product sliding can be reduced to a minimum. .

  In a preferred refinement of the method according to the invention, the carriage of the conveying device performs a reciprocating movement and again after receiving each signature bound at the discharge station, in order to receive the signature to be bound again. Go over the delivery station and return to the desired position.

  In a particularly preferred and therefore advantageous refinement of the method according to the invention, at least the conveying device and the stitcher head are controlled by a machine control device, which ensures that the binding needle is set at its target binding position. . Through the interface, the machine operator can easily correct the target binding position.

  In a preferred refinement of the method according to the invention, the conveying of the signature and the holding of each signature during binding is carried out by holding the signature with a gripper.

  Furthermore, the present invention provides a plurality of feeders arranged along a saddle chain that circulates and a single stitcher head at a fixed position, that is, a stitcher that is not slidable in the conveying direction and in the opposite direction to the conveying direction. The present invention relates to a saddle stitching machine for producing a booklet from a signature for carrying out the above-described method for binding a signature, comprising a binding station having a head and a discharge station located downstream of the binding station. In the binding station, corresponding to a general stitcher head, similarly, a clincher box at a fixed position including a clincher that bends a binding needle end portion is arranged. According to the present invention, the saddle stitcher includes a transport device that transports a signature, and the transport region of the transport device extends from the downstream end of the saddle chain to the discharge station beyond the binding station. . The downstream end of the saddle chain is located in the area of the delivery station, where the signature is delivered from the saddle chain to the transport device. The transport device comprises a holding element configured as a gripper that holds, clamps or grips each signature during the complete transport process by the transport device. The saddle stitcher further comprises a machine controller for controlling at least the conveying device and the stitcher head in order to perform at least two binding processes for each signature by one stitcher head. Such a saddle stitching machine is preferably simple and thus inexpensive, and its binding station has little space requirement. Due to the use of a single stitcher head, only one wire transport and wire feed is required, which further reduces the complexity and cost of the binding station. The adjustment time of the binding station for new products, ie different sizes, different binding numbers or different binding positions, can also be greatly reduced. The adjustment of the binding station may be limited to adjustment via the interface of the machine controller, but in some cases the stitcher head or the components of the stitcher head to produce a special binding needle, for example a ring (eyelet). Exchange is also necessary. Since the stitcher head is in place, the stitcher head can be replaced very easily.

  In a preferred improvement of the saddle stitcher according to the present invention, the transport device comprises a carriage and a carriage guide for reciprocating the holding element in the transport direction and in the direction opposite to the transport direction. The holding element may in particular be configured as a mechanical or pneumatic gripper. More preferably, the transport device comprises a controllable motor, in particular a servo motor, for driving a carriage comprising grippers along the carriage guide.

  The described invention and the preferred improvements of the described invention constitute a preferred improvement of the invention, even when combined with one another.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a saddle stitcher for booklets comprising a feeder, a binding station and a subsequent discharge station. It is a figure which shows progress of binding a signature. It is detail drawing of a binding station provided with a conveying apparatus. It is a figure which shows the movement progress of the carriage of a conveying apparatus. It is a figure which shows the movement progress of the carriage of a conveying apparatus. It is a figure which shows the movement progress of the carriage of a conveying apparatus.

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the illustrated embodiment. Constituent elements and parts corresponding to each other in the drawings are provided with the same reference numerals. In order to make the drawing easier to understand, the scale is not shown accurately.

  The machine element of the saddle stitcher 1 according to FIG. 1 a comprises three feeders 10, 12, 14 in the embodiment shown. The feeders 10, 12, and 14 are each driven by a single signature 16, 18, and 20 by a driving device 40 (see FIG. 2). hand over. A transfer body 35 is arranged in the saddle chain 34, and the transfer body 35 here is a folded state of the signatures 16, 18, and 20 delivered to the saddle chain 34 in a hooked state, and the collated folding to be finally bound. Push Ding 17 forward.

  The signatures 16, 18, 20 placed one above the other in this manner are collectively formed into a collated signature 17. The signature 17 is transported along the transport and binding line 22 in the transport direction indicated by the arrow P direction. The conveying and binding line 22 extends along the feeders 10, 12, and 14 beyond the binding station 24 to the discharge station 29. The signatures 16, 17, 18, and 20 are conveyed by the saddle chain 34 to the delivery station 36 and subsequently moved by the conveying device 50.

  The binding station 24 comprises, according to the invention, a stitcher head 26 and a folding device arranged in correspondence with the stitcher head, not seen in FIG. 1a, a so-called clincher, The leg portion of the binding needle (wire) 27 driven into the booklet 17 to be bound by the stitcher head 26 is bent.

  The conveying device 50 including the gripper 51 and the drive motor 55 and the stitcher head 26 are connected to the machine control device 23 and controlled by the machine control device 23.

  In this embodiment, the discharge station 29 includes a mechanical element having an ejector 29.1 configuration not shown in detail. The ejector 29.1 engages with each fold of the bound booklet 32, and lifts the booklet 32 outward from the conveying and binding line 22. Thereby, the booklet 32 can be continuously conveyed in the direction of the arrow T. Subsequently, in the direction T, a cutting device for three-way cutting, for example a three-way cutting machine or a trimmer, may be provided.

  A measuring station 33 is provided upstream from the binding station 24 in the conveying direction indicated by the arrow P, and the thickness of the signature 17 to be bound is detected at the measuring station 33. Alternatively, another device such as a sticking device (labeling device) or an ink jet head may be disposed at this position.

  FIG. 1b shows the progress of the binding process with the signature 17 as an example. The signature 17 is in the area of the transport device 50, is held by the gripper 51 of the transport device 50, and is transported to the lower side of the stitcher head 26 (not shown). The signature 17 has two target binding positions 28, and one binding needle 27 should be driven at each of the target binding positions 28. As can be seen from FIG. 1 b, first the first binding needle 27 is driven at the first target binding position 28, and then the signature 17 ′ is folded at the second target binding position 28. It will continue to be transported before being driven into the ditch 17 ''. The same applies to other binding positions 28 and binding needles 27 that occur in some cases.

  In FIG. 2, the delivery station 36, the binding station 24 and the discharge station 29 are shown in detail. The signature 17 is conveyed from the saddle chain 34 to the delivery station 36 by the transfer body 35 until it is located at the position P0 for delivery. At this position P0, the signature 17 is gripped by the gripper 51 of the transport device 50. The gripper 51 of the transport device is supported by a carriage 56, and the carriage 56 can reciprocate a along the straight guide 52 in a direction opposite to the transport direction P of the signature or the transport direction P. The signature 17 held by the gripper 51 continues in the conveying direction P by the conveying device until the first target binding position 28 of the signature 17 ′ is located just below one stitcher head 26 at the binding station 24. Moved. In this first binding position, the first binding needle 27 is driven into the signature 17 '. The signature 17 'at the position P1 is indicated by a broken line. In this case, the binding is performed in a stopped state, that is, the carriage 56 and the gripper 51 are not moved during the binding process. After the first binding is performed, the signature 17 ′ is continuously moved until the second target binding position 28 is located just below the stitcher head 26. This second binding position P2 is indicated by a solid line signature 17 ''.

  In the second binding position P2, the second binding needle 27 is driven at the second target binding position 28. In this case, the carriage 56, the gripper 51, and the signature 17 '' are also stopped. After the second binding has been performed, the signature 17 "is transported to the position PA, where it is ejected by the ejector 29.1.

  The transport device 50 includes a drive device. In the aspect shown in FIG. 2, the drive device includes a drive motor 55, and the drive motor 55 is connected to a toothed conveyance belt 53 via a toothed drive belt 54. The toothed transport belt 53 is also coupled to the carriage 56 via a rod, for example, and the carriage 56 is reciprocated when the toothed transport belt 53 is moved. As a result, the carriage 56 reciprocates with the gripper 51. .

  Instead of the toothed belt driving devices 53 and 54, a driving device including a rack and pinion or a conveying screw thread (ball screw spindle) may be used.

  FIG. 3 a shows the progress of movement of the binding carriage 56 in the moving direction a of the gripper 51. In this case, the distance traveled is expressed with respect to the passage of time and various positions P0, P1, P2, PA are entered on the curve. From position P0 to position PA, the gripper 51 remains activated and thus holds each signature 17 to be bound.

  FIG. 3b shows the first derivative of FIG. As can be seen from FIG. 3b, the delivery of the signature 17 at the delivery station 36 takes place at position P0 while the gripper 51 and carriage 56 are moving in the transport direction P at a speed that matches the speed of the saddle chain 34. . During both binding processes at the binding positions P1 and P2, since the carriage 56 and thus the signatures 17 'and 17' 'are also stationary, the binding is performed in a stopped state.

  FIG. 3 c shows the second derivative of FIG. 3 a, ie the acceleration of the carriage 56 with the gripper 51. Depending on the size of the signatures 16, 17, 18, 20 to be bound, each binding position 28, the number of signatures 16, 18, 20, collated, the material of the signatures 16, 17, 18, 20, etc. The course can be easily adapted by means of the machine controller 23, which guarantees reliable transport and high-quality binding.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Saddle stitcher 10 Feeder 12 Feeder 14 Feeder 16 Signatures 17, 17 ', 17'',17''' Collated signatures in various positions 18 Signatures 20 Signatures 22 Conveyance and binding line 23 Machine control Device 24 Binding station 25 Bending device (clincher)
26 stitcher head 27 binding needle 28 target binding position 29 discharge station 29.1 ejector 32 bound booklet 33 measurement station 34 saddle chain 35 transporting body 36 delivery station 40 drive device for saddle chain 50 transport device 51 gripper 52 linear guide 53 Toothed conveying belt 54 Toothed driving belt 55 Drive motor 56 Carriage a Reciprocating carriage P Pitch conveying direction T Booklet subsequent conveying direction P0 Delivery position P1 First binding position P2 Second binding position PA Discharge position

Claims (9)

A method for binding a signature (17) to produce a booklet in a saddle stitcher (1) comprising a binding station (24) having one stitcher head (26), comprising:
a) transporting each signature (17) to be bound by a saddle chain (34) towards a delivery station (36);
b) delivering each signature (17) to the conveying device (50) holding each signature (17);
c) transporting each signature (17) to the first binding position (P1) toward the binding station (24), wherein the first target binding position (28) of the signature (17) is: A step located under the one stitcher head (26);
d) stopping each signature (17) and driving the first binding needle (27) with the one stitcher head (26) in the stopped state;
e) the step of transporting each signature (17) to another binding position (P2) by the transport device (50), wherein the other target binding position (28) of the signature (17) A step located under the stitcher head (26);
f) stopping each signature (17) and, in the stopped state, driving another binding needle (27) with the one stitcher head (26);
g) Step of transporting each bound booklet (32) to the discharge station (29) by the transport device (50) and releasing the booklet (32) from the transport device (51). When,
h) discharging each bound booklet (32) or delivering each bound booklet (32) to a device for three-way cutting;
A method for binding signatures.   2. The method according to claim 1, wherein steps e) and f) are repeated for each separate binding needle (27) to be driven into the signature (17).   The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transport device (50) comprises a horizontally moving carriage (56), which carriage (56) returns to its initial position again after step h).   4. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least the conveying device (50) and the one stitcher head (26) are controlled by a machine control device (23).   The holding of each signature (17) between step b) and step g) is performed by holding the signature (17) with at least one gripper (51) by the transport device (50). The method according to claim 1. A binding station (24) having a plurality of feeders (10, 12, 14) arranged along a circulating saddle chain (34), a single stitcher head (26) at a fixed position; 24. A signature (16, 17, 18) for carrying out the method of binding signatures according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a discharge station (29) located downstream of 24). ) To produce a booklet from (1),
The saddle stitcher (1) includes a transport device (50) for transporting a signature (17), and the transport region of the transport device (50) is a binding station from the downstream end of the saddle chain (34). (24) extends to the discharge station (29), where the transport device (50) moves each signature (17) during a complete transport process (a) by the transport device (50). Comprising at least one gripper (51) for holding;
The saddle stitcher (1) includes at least the transport device (50) and the one stitcher for performing at least two binding processes on each signature (17) by the one stitcher head (26). A saddle stitcher comprising a machine control device (23) for controlling the head (26).   The transport device (50) comprises a carriage (56) and a carriage guide (52) for reciprocating (a) a carriage (56) having at least one of the grippers (51). Binding machine.   The saddle stitcher according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the transport device (50) comprises a controllable motor (55), in particular a servo motor, as a drive for the carriage (56).   9. The transport device (50) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, comprising a pneumatic, electrical, piezoelectric or mechanical drive for moving at least one of the grippers (51). Saddle stitcher.

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